Cowboys to Induct DeMarcus Ware into Wall of Fame After 6-Year Hiatus

Dallas, TX – May 16, 2025

The Dallas Cowboys are set to end a six-year drought by adding a new name to the Cowboys Wall of Fame in 2025, sources told ESPN. Defensive end DeMarcus Ware, a fan favorite and team icon from 2005 to 2013, will be honored for his extraordinary contributions during a challenging era for the franchise.

Ware, who retired after the 2016 season, played 9 seasons with the Cowboys, starting 134 of 141 games. He recorded a franchise-record 117 sacks, 487 tackles, and 32 forced fumbles, earning seven Pro Bowl selections from 2006 to 2012 and four First-team All-Pro nods from 2007 to 2010. Known as “The Sack Master,” Ware was a pillar of consistency during a period when the Cowboys struggled to find playoff success, winning just 2 postseason games between 1996 and 2013.

“DeMarcus was the heart of our defense,” said former head coach Jason Garrett. “He embodied what it means to be a Cowboy.”

The induction, expected during a home game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, comes at a pivotal moment. With Micah Parsons leading a defense that ranked 8th in the NFL in 2024, alongside Dak Prescott’s passing prowess and CeeDee Lamb’s 1,208 receiving yards, the Cowboys are chasing their first Super Bowl since 1996—a goal Ware never achieved despite his brilliance.

Ware, now 42, has remained connected to Dallas, mentoring young players like Micah Parsons and contributing to community initiatives. His induction follows a long wait since the last honoree, Charles Haley, in 2019, reigniting calls from fans to celebrate more legends.

“This honor means the world to me and Cowboys Nation,” Ware told The Dallas Morning News. “Dallas will always be my home.”

As the Cowboys prepare for a defining season under Jerry Jones’ leadership, Ware’s induction promises to galvanize the fanbase. His legacy as a relentless warrior will echo through AT&T Stadium, inspiring a new era of Cowboys greatness.